Cayman Islands officially recognises Emancipation Day as public holiday

Effective this year and onwards, Emancipation Day will be recognized as a public holiday by the Cayman Islands Government. This addition brings the total number of public holidays per year to 12.

Every year, the first Monday in May will be observed as a public holiday in the Cayman Islands, initial reports suggested that the public holiday would replace Discovery Day which is observed on every third Monday of May.

This decision came in November 2023, when it was decided that Emancipation Day would be reinstated to acknowledge and commemorate the abolishment of slavery in the island nation. However, to the public's surprise, the cabinet ministers approved an additional public holiday instead of replacing Discovery Day as was initially planned.

The first Monday of May was chosen so that the observed event could be on or near the anniversary of the 5^th of May 1835, the date marking when Captain Anthony Pack, of the 84^th regiment of Foot and colonel in chief of the Cayman Islands Milita read the proclamation of emancipation to the inhabitants of Bodden Town. Emancipation Day was replaced with Constitution Day in the 60s.

Discovery Day, on the other hand, marks the day when Christopher Columbus made contact with the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman in March of 1503. Both days aren’t perceived to be those of loud celebrations that the whole nation gets to witness, in practicality both days are celebrated locally through various cultural involvements.

Bernie Bush, the Culture and Heritage Minister is quoted in a public statement saying that reinstating and recognizing Emancipation Day as a public Holiday “marks a significant step towards honouring our unique history and cultural heritage.”

He goes on to say “This decision not only pays tribute to our ancestors’ struggles and triumphs but also invites our community to connect with the profound roots of our cultural identity.” And adds “It is an opportunity to learn, remember, and celebrate our remarkable journey. The initiation of a public survey to formalize additional national symbols to ensure these traditions and customs remain for future generations is also key to building cultural identity and national pride”

This change has changed and brought up the average monthly public holiday count to one, the complete list is mentioned below, observed implies that if the day were to fall on a weekend, a public holiday will be observed the following Monday.

• January 1: New Year's Day (observed)
• Fourth Monday of January: National Heroes Day
• Variable Date (Six weeks before Easter): Ash Wednesday
• The Friday preceding Easter Sunday: Good Friday
• The Monday following Easter Sunday: Easter Monday
• First Monday of May: Emancipation Day
• Third Monday of May: Discovery Day
• (Date determined by the birth date of the reigning sovereign): King’s Birthday
• July 3^rd: Constitution Day
• November 11^th: Remembrance Day
• 25^th December: Christmas Day
• 26^th December: Boxing Day

The National Calendar of the Cayman Islands also recognizes Cayman Thanksgiving which falls on the first Sunday of December, however, it is not recognized as a public holiday allowing private-sector employers to determine whether or not they wish to award their employees a holiday.